Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Nov/Dec 2015 | Page 11

20 Union Elementary teachers each surprised with $50 gift cards

Thanks to a $50 gift card from the Teacher Rewards program, fifthgrade Union Elementary teacher M’lissa Cianes can see an idea come to
life – Flashlight Friday.
To help offset the estimated $1,000 a year teachers spend out of
their own pockets for classroom supplies, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club
representatives surprised 20 teachers at Union Elementary with a total of
$1,000 in gift cards Wednesday, (Oct, 7).
Cianes said the idea of Flashlight Friday had been on her lesson’s
wish list, but the money to purchase 21 flashlights was a problem.

Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart representatives surprised teachers during a
staff meeting.
“We wanted to take today to recognize what you do,” said Donald
Taylor, with Sam’s Club in Matthews. “We realize that every day, every
school year, teachers are constantly going into their pockets to get
supplies for students who can’t afford it. Wal-Mart wants to give back the
only way we can.
“You are preparing our future generations to take over this country,”
Taylor added. “The more you have that can make your job easier, the
more that we’re going to see from those
kids in the future. Thank you for what
you do. It’s sometimes a thankless job.
You often don’t get help from parents.
You don’t get a lot of help from the
community sometimes, yet you come
here every day. You have a great
attitude and you really take care of our
kids. It means a lot to us.”

Union Elementary Principal Jennifer
Deaton said she was very excited about
the recognition of her teachers.

“I’m very grateful to Sam’s Club
and Wal-Mart for donating the gift
cards to teachers because they spend
so much money out of pocket,” Deaton
said. “They will now be able to use these
cards to buy supplies for students who
need them in their classrooms.”

Deaton also thanked store
representatives for the snacks they
br